Donations from Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko and Prof. Oskar Kogoj to the University of Nova Gorica Foundation

Date of publication: 7. 9. 2021
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On Thursday, September 2, 2021, a University of Nova Gorica Foundation (FUNG) ceremony took place in the atrium of the Lanthieri Mansion in Vipava

From left to right: Golden Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik, President of the Board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Mag. Tanja Kožuh, Golden Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation prof. Oskar Kogoj and Silver Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko. Photo: Miha Godec
From left to right: Golden Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Dr. Danilo Zavrtanik, President of the Board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Mag. Tanja Kožuh, Golden Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation prof. Oskar Kogoj and Silver Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko. Photo: Miha Godec

"I am glad that we gathered here today at this ceremony, especially since the University of Nova Gorica Foundation is celebrating its 20th year of operation. The mission of the Foundation has remained the same over these many years, namely the furthering of educational and research activities of the University of Nova Gorica. I am especially honoured that the "reason" for today's festivities is the two donors and members of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation, the Vice-Rector for Education, Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko, and free designer, artist Prof. Oskar Kogoj,” said Mag. Tanja Kožuh, President of the Board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation.

Mag. Tanja Kožuh awarded the title of Silver Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation to Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko, who donated monetary funds to the Foundation, and thus gained the opportunity to create a special-purpose fund. Prof. Dr. Franko submitted an initiative to the Board of the UNG Foundation to establish a new scholarship fund for student athletes. In May 2021, the Board of the UNG Foundation unanimously approved the proposal, and thus initiated the “Matija Franko” Scholarship Fund for Student Athletes.

As explained by Prof. Dr. Franko, "his family paid special tribute to the memory of his father, Matija Franko, who made an important contribution to the development of sport in the Goriška region and in Slovenia. Matija Franko has always emphasised that for young athletes, in addition to perseverance in training, perseverance in learning and education is equally important, as it benefits athletes after the end of their sports careers."

In addition to the new Silver Donor, the Foundation also received a statue of an owl, the symbol of the University of Nova Gorica, from Prof. Oskar Kogoj.

Prof. Oskar Kogoj was quick to recognise the importance of the University of Nova Gorica in the Gorizia, Slovenian, and international environment. He has donated many of his art pieces to the Foundation in recent years, and in 2016 was awarded the title of Golden Donor.

"It is with great pleasure that I work with the University of Nova Gorica, passing on my knowledge to younger generations and helping it in its further development," Prof. Kogoj emphasised in his speech.

Attachments

Golden Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Oskar Kogoj. Photo: Miha Godec
Silver Donor of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Prof. Dr. Mladen Franko (left) and President of the Board of the University of Nova Gorica Foundation Mag. Tanja Kožuh. Photo: Miha Godec